US8117733B2 - Apparatus and method for removing a film of a package of objects - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for removing a film of a package of objects Download PDF

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US8117733B2
US8117733B2 US12/424,272 US42427209A US8117733B2 US 8117733 B2 US8117733 B2 US 8117733B2 US 42427209 A US42427209 A US 42427209A US 8117733 B2 US8117733 B2 US 8117733B2
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film
rollers
package
roller
pair
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US20090261139A1 (en
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Giuseppe Reggiani
Cesare Corradi
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Clevertech SpA
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Clevertech SpA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/0033—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for by cutting
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S83/00—Cutting
    • Y10S83/924—Work wrapped or coated around a core, not part of the machine
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T225/00—Severing by tearing or breaking
    • Y10T225/10—Methods
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T225/00—Severing by tearing or breaking
    • Y10T225/30—Breaking or tearing apparatus
    • Y10T225/35—Work-parting pullers [bursters]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/51—Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling
    • Y10T29/5136—Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
    • Y10T29/5137—Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work including assembling or disassembling station
    • Y10T29/5139—Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work including assembling or disassembling station and means to sever work prior to disassembling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T83/00—Cutting
    • Y10T83/04—Processes
    • Y10T83/0405—With preparatory or simultaneous ancillary treatment of work
    • Y10T83/0419—By distorting within elastic limit
    • Y10T83/0424—By stretching

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing a film of a package of objects.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing a film of a package having an elongated shape in a longitudinal direction, for example (but not necessarily), a package with a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • Said package is in particular a package of lids (e.g. lids to be seamed onto containers) which have been stacked and subsequently wrapped in a film;
  • the packaging film consists, for example, of a heat shrink film of plastic material.
  • This film is ordinarily sealed around the bundle of objects by means of a weld formed along a longitudinal line (substantially coinciding with a generatrix of the cylindrically shaped package).
  • the packaging film covers the lateral surface of the package and also (at least partly) the surfaces on either end of the package.
  • such machines involve (according to what is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,268 or EP 1532050) loading the packages one at a time in a cutting station or a film removal station, wherein the package is inserted between rollers while one or more mobile cutting heads make a longitudinal slit in the film.
  • such unwrapping machines comprise:
  • the time necessary for cutting the film is proportional to the length of the package (i.e. the extension of the package in the longitudinal direction).
  • a further disadvantage is associated with the cutting means and depends on the type used.
  • the cutting means comprise blades or cutters, there is a risk of damaging the underlying objects.
  • the cutting means comprise nozzles connected to a source of hot air, there is a risk that the film, either by burning or melting, will generate fragments that adhere to the objects, thereby dirtying them, or even generate toxic, harmful fumes.
  • suction means to draw up the portion of film whereupon the cutting means act (for example, according to what is described in EP 0947428).
  • suction means introduces further drawbacks in that it increases the complexity and cost of the apparatus while reducing its speed.
  • the object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks and provide an apparatus and method for removing a film of a package of objects in an especially fast and efficient manner without denting or damaging the objects.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a partly open front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from above
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an enlargement of detail A of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during an operating phase of the method according to the present invention
  • 1 indicates an apparatus for removing a film 2 of a package 3 of objects having a shape elongated along a longitudinal axis.
  • the objects are lids placed side by side to form a stack, or a bundle of objects stacked adjacent to one another.
  • the present invention relates to packages having a generally cylindrical shape; however, it can also be applied to packages having different shapes, e.g. packages with an elliptical or square cross section or packages shaped like frustum of cones.
  • the first pair 7 of rollers defines a station 8 for removal of the film 2 of the package 3 supported thereupon.
  • a carriage 9 Movably associated with the frame 4 there is a carriage 9 , which moves vertically along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first pair 7 of rollers; in particular, the carriage 9 is movable between a lowered position and a raised one, respectively closer to and further away from the first pair 7 of rollers.
  • the apparatus also comprises a third roller 10 and a fourth roller 11 defining a second pair 12 of rollers, rotatably associated with the carriage 9 .
  • said third and fourth rollers are able to move (integrally with the carriage 9 ) between a raised position of non-interference with the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 and a lowered position, in which they bear down upon the package 3 , pressing it against said first and second rollers.
  • the second pair 12 of rollers cooperates with the first pair 7 of rollers to exert a predetermined pressure upon the outer surface of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 , thereby holding it in place in said station.
  • the first roller 5 and the second roller 6 are disposed near each other, so that their lateral surfaces are mutually in contact.
  • means are also provided for pressing the first roller 5 and the second roller 6 against each other; preferably, such means comprise pneumatic pistons.
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises, innovatively, a sensor (not illustrated) connected to an actuator of the pneumatic pistons and operatively active upon them so as to detect directly or indirectly, a mechanical force applied to the pistons (i.e. the means for pressing the first roller 5 and the second roller 6 against each other) in opposition to their action.
  • the third roller 10 and the fourth roller 11 are preferably disposed at a predetermined distance from each other (for example, around 25-30 mm), so as to favour a good hold of the second pair 12 of rollers on the package 3 , even in the case of packages 3 of different diameters.
  • the rollers have a substantially cylindrical shape; moreover, the rollers preferably have longitudinal axes that are mutually parallel (and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the package 3 in the removal station 8 ). This makes the apparatus 1 especially suitable for handling packages 3 with a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • rollers have longitudinal axes which are not parallel to each other; it is also envisaged that the rollers may be in the shape of a frustum of cone (for example for the handling of cone-frustum shaped packages) or be configured with other shapes according to the shape of the package to be handled.
  • the second motor drive is connected to the second pair 12 of rollers in order to rotate them so that they stretch (lateral) portions of the film 2 (of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 ) disposed between the surfaces in contact with said first and second pair of rollers, thereby causing it to tear.
  • the pairs of rollers and respective motor drives constitute means for tearing the film 2 of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 by virtue of the mechanical stretching to which the film 2 is subjected.
  • the first motor drive is operatively connected to the first roller 5 and to the second roller 6 so as to rotate them in opposite directions, in such a way that the surfaces contacting with the film 2 of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 instantly move closer to each other (as is illustrated in FIG. 5 ; in the view shown in FIG. 5 , the first roller 5 is rotating in a clockwise direction and the second roller 6 is rotating in an anticlockwise direction).
  • the second motor drive is operatively connected, in an original manner, to the third roller 10 and to the fourth roller 11 so as to rotate them in opposite directions, in such a way that the surfaces contacting with the film 2 of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 instantly move closer to each other (in the view shown in FIG. 5 , the third roller 10 is rotating in an anticlockwise direction and the fourth roller 11 is rotating in a clockwise direction).
  • the portions of film 2 lifted during said movement of the rollers comprise:
  • the film 2 is torn, in an original manner, by virtue of the mechanical stretching applied by the rollers to portions of the film 2 , said stretching exceeding a critical breaking value.
  • This critical value is reached in weak areas of the film 2 ; thus tearing begins in such weak areas of the film 2 and continues therefrom. These weak areas are typically associated with discontinuities in the film 2 or defects in the material the film 2 is made of.
  • one weak area is the welded seam of the film 2 , disposed longitudinally on the lateral portion of the film 2 .
  • Other weak points may be holes or nicks present in the film 2 wrapping the package 3 .
  • the lower portion 16 of the film 2 progressively increases under the action of the first pair 7 of rollers (as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6 ), until the entire film 2 of the package 3 passes between the first pair 7 of rollers (between the first roller 5 and the second roller 6 ) and is discharged downward (for example, it may fall by gravity into a film collection container).
  • the combined action of the first and second pair of rollers serves to tear the film 2 ; the first pair 7 of rollers also achieves the removal of the film 2 .
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises, innovatively, an electronic card (not illustrated because of a known type; it should be observed that in place of the electronic card, a PLC or other known alternative devices may be used), which is programmed to control the first and the second motor drives.
  • an electronic card not illustrated because of a known type; it should be observed that in place of the electronic card, a PLC or other known alternative devices may be used, which is programmed to control the first and the second motor drives.
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises, innovatively, means of reversing the direction of rotation of said third and fourth rollers cooperating with the second motor drive.
  • Said reversing means preferably consist in an electric driver (not illustrated) of the electric motor constituting the second motor drive, which is able to reverse the direction (or invert the sign) of the motor control current.
  • reversing means may also be achieved using different technical solutions (according to known techniques), also depending on the type of the second motor drive.
  • the reversing means are connected to the electronic card; therefore, said card constitutes control means connected to said first and second motor drives and to said reversing means in order to control them based on a pre-established operating mode (set by programming the card itself).
  • the reversing means are controlled in such a way as to simultaneously reverse the direction of rotation of the third roller 10 and of the fourth roller 11 , so that said rollers always rotate in mutually opposite directions.
  • control means are connected to said first and second motor drive and to said reversing means so as to alternately stretch the lateral portions 13 and 14 of the film 2 and the upper portion 15 of the film 2 , in successive phases.
  • control means reverse the directions of rotation of the second pair 12 of rollers, without reversing the directions of rotation of the first pair 7 of rollers.
  • the two pairs of rollers rotate in a mutually concordant fashion (as shown in FIG. 6 , the first roller 5 and the third roller 10 rotate in a clockwise direction, the second roller 6 and the fourth roller 11 rotate in an anticlockwise direction).
  • the upper portion 15 of the film 2 is stretched. This advantageously results in the tearing of the film 2 , starting from the upper portion 15 ; this is important also considering the eventuality that the previously stretched lateral portions 13 and 14 of the film 2 were devoid of weak areas.
  • the weak area (or weak areas) of the film 2 are to be found in the upper portion 15 of the film 2 .
  • the tearing of the film 2 will occur starting from said upper portion 15 of the film 2 after the reversal in the direction of rotation of the second pair 12 of rollers.
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises, innovatively, at least one pair of shears 17 suitable for making an incision in the upper portion 15 of the film 2 , when said portion 15 is lifted away from the objects of the package 3 by virtue of the action of the second pair 12 of rollers (as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5 ).
  • said at least one pair of shears 17 constitutes means of cutting the film 2 , being operatively active on the portion 15 of the film 2 (of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 ) disposed between the portions in contact with the third and the fourth roller, said cutting means interacting with the second motor drive to make cuts in the film 2 when said portion is lifted away from the objects of the package 3 by virtue of the rotation of the second pair of rollers (in the operating configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 ).
  • said at least one pair of shears 17 is associated with the carriage 9 and moves integrally with it; preferably, the apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of shears 17 associated with the carriage 9 , disposed along the longitudinal axis of the package 3 and spaced apart so as to make a plurality of incisions in the film 2 .
  • the cutting means (shears or rotary blades or needles) 17 are operatively linked to the electronic card (i.e. the control means), so that the action of the cutting means 17 is coordinated with the movement of the carriage 9 and with the action of the second pair 12 of rollers.
  • the present invention makes it possible, advantageously, to ensure the correct tearing of the film 2 (i.e. tearing in a portion of film 2 not positioned between the first roller 5 and the second roller 6 , since it is desired that the film 2 be collected and discharged through a defined passage between said first and second roller) by applying to the film 2 a mechanical stretching of limited value (i.e. corresponding to the value sufficient to tear the film 2 in a weak area), irrespective of the position assumed by the package 3 in the removal station 8 relative to a rotation around its longitudinal axis.
  • the present invention does not require the presence of means for placing the package 3 in the removal station 8 in a position where it is rotated around its longitudinal axis in such a way as to dispose the weak area of the film 2 of the package 3 in a predetermined position; the correct tearing of the film 2 and the correct removal thereof are guaranteed irrespective of the angular position of the package 3 in the removal station 8 (relative to the longitudinal axis of the package 3 itself).
  • the removal of the film 2 will take place without any problems also in the event that the film 2 is torn in a plurality of areas, for example in the event that it is torn both in one of the lateral portions 13 or 14 and in the upper portion 15 .
  • the film 2 does not tear (as the portions of the film 2 disposed on planes perpendicular to said longitudinal axis are not subjected to mechanical stretching); on the one hand this circumstance in no way prejudices the removal of the film 2 , while on the other hand it prevents scraps of film 2 coming detached from the remaining part of the film 2 , which would result in the risk of such scraps not being recovered and conveyed downward through the first pair 7 of rollers.
  • the present invention also envisages the presence of a number of rollers other than four (e.g. a larger number), to be applied exploiting the teachings described above.
  • the rollers comprised in the apparatus 1 have preferred characteristics intended to optimise the friction generated between the rollers and the film 2 of the package 3 , that is to optimise the grip of the rollers on the package 3 .
  • the rollers are preferably coated with a layer of rubber.
  • a layer of rubber is preferably applied to a core of the roller (made of steel for example) by means of a vulcanization process.
  • the rollers are preferably coated with layers of rubber vulcanised to their cores.
  • said rollers preferably have rough lateral surfaces, such as to optimise the friction along the contacting surfaces between the rollers and the film 2 of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 .
  • the rollers have lateral surfaces with a helical profile, preferably with herringbone teeth.
  • This helical profile is preferably obtained by means of a grinding process performed on the rubber layer applied on the outside of the rollers.
  • said rollers preferably have lateral layers of predetermined hardness (approximately 60-80 degrees Sh and, preferably, 70 degrees Sh), such as to optimize the friction along the contacting surfaces between the rollers and the film 2 of the package 3 disposed in the removal station 8 .
  • rollers are important in order to obtain the desired values of mechanical stretching applied to the film 2 , using particularly modest amounts of pressure exerted by the rollers on the package, thus avoiding the risk of damaging the objects (for example by causing the deformation thereof).
  • the present apparatus defines, in addition to the removal station 8 , an entry station 18 and an exit station 19 for the package 3 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates three packages 3 disposed in the entry station 18 , in the removal station 8 and in the exit station 19 , respectively; the removal station 8 lies at an intermediate point between the entry station 18 and the exit station 19 , relative to the path of conveyance of the packages 3 inside the apparatus 1 .
  • the apparatus 1 also includes a system for loading the packages 3 , which comprises:
  • the belt 21 is provided with teeth (not illustrated), disposed longitudinally and preferably evenly spaced, in order to pick up one package 3 at a time and feed it to the entry station 18 .
  • the package 3 rests against a chute 23 and is still interacting with the conveyor belt 21 .
  • the motor 22 is preferably a gearmotor cooperating with a brake (according to a technique known per se).
  • the motor 22 is operatively connected to the electronic card (i.e. to the control means), so that its operation may be coordinated with that of said first and second motor drive.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a photocell (not illustrated and of a known type), which is connected to the control means and serves to detect the presence of a package 3 in the entry station 18 .
  • the conveyor belt 21 moves each package 3 until carrying it into the entry station 18 ; in the entry station 18 , the presence of the package 3 is detected by a photocell and a signal is transmitted to the control means; in this situation the conveyor belt 21 stops and remains stationary, awaiting instructions from the control means to which it is connected.
  • control means are programmed in such a way as to coordinate the pushing of the package from the entry station 21 (and the consequent conveyance thereof into the removal station 8 ) with the movement of the carriage 9 , so that the carriage 9 will be in the raised position of non-interference when the package 3 reaches the removal station by means of the chute 23 .
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises, innovatively, a platform 24 slidingly associated with a cam 25 defined by the frame 4 .
  • the platform 24 is movable from a first position to a second position along a transverse trajectory (i.e. a trajectory that is maintained perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the longitudinal axes of the packages 3 are disposed).
  • the exit station 19 is defined by a guide, that is a semi tubular-shaped trough 26 .
  • the pick-up means are operatively active on the bundle to maintain it compact and prevent the individual objects falling or flipping over.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises pick-up means associated with the platform 24 , which moves along a predefined path in order to pick up the bundle made up of the objects of the package 3 free of the film 2 and transfer it (maintaining it whole and compact) from the removal station 8 to an exit station 19 .
  • the bundle of objects freed from the film 2 in the removal station 8 is not conveyed into the exit station 19 by gravity, but is rather led by a structure integrally movable with it and able to maintain the objects of the bundle united.
  • a pusher is positioned in contact with the first of the objects in the bundle, in the direction of movement of the bundle leaving the apparatus 1 ; this enables the pick-up means to release the bundle and move integrally with the platform 24 from the second to the first position, to pick up a new bundle.
  • the apparatus 1 and the method according to the present invention are designed for operation in a continuous cycle.
  • the opposite end of the bundle i.e. the last of the objects in the bundle, in the direction of movement of the bundle leaving the apparatus 1
  • the opposite end of the bundle is disposed at the back of the first object of the previously handled bundle (so it does not fall).
  • a pusher finger 27 is positioned in contact with the first of the objects in the bundle, in the direction of movement of the bundle leaving the apparatus 1 .
  • the pusher finger is movable (transversely to the axis of the bundle disposed in the exit station 19 ) between an extracted position, in which it is able to push the bundle in the longitudinal direction of the axis of the bundle itself, and a retracted position of non-interference with the bundle;
  • the pusher finger 27 is movable longitudinally to the axis of the bundle disposed in the exit station 19 between a rearward position, in which it is in contact with the first of the objects in the bundle disposed in the exit station 19 , and a forward position (in the direction of travel of the bundles leaving the apparatus 1 ).
  • the packages during their movement inside the apparatus 1 from the storage container 20 to the exit station 19 , are preferably always disposed along their longitudinal axis (i.e. with their axis always parallel to itself and disposed longitudinally) and follow a trajectory perpendicular to said axis (i.e. they move along a path transverse to said longitudinal axis).
  • the bundle is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bundle of objects.
  • control means are programmed to maintain the rollers in a predetermined operational configuration (e.g. the one in which the rollers stretch the lateral portions 13 and 14 of the film 2 , illustrated in FIG. 5 ) for a predetermined wait time.
  • This predetermined wait time which is preferably shorter than 3 seconds and more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1 second, is advantageous since it increases the likelihood of the film 2 being torn in the stretched portion; that is to say, it allows the film 2 to be torn with low levels of pressure applied by the rollers on the package 3 .
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises an interface 28 connected to the control means so as to enable an operator to set predetermined parameters for the operation of the apparatus.
  • the interface 28 preferably comprises a display and a plurality of control members (e.g. pushbuttons) to enable the operator to view and program, respectively, predetermined input and output values of the electronic card constituting the control means.
  • control members e.g. pushbuttons
  • Said interface 28 is preferably associated with a head mounted on an arm 29 rotatably connected to the frame 4 , so as to enable, advantageously, the operator to move the interface in the desired position relative to the frame 4 .
  • the interface 28 is operatively connected to the control means to enable adjustment or setting of the rotation speed of the rollers, said wait time, or the pressure exerted by the second pair 12 of rollers on the package 3 in the removal station 8 .
  • the apparatus 1 will comprise means for adjusting the speed of the rollers. Indeed, it is envisaged that the rollers will have a variable speed. For this purpose it is planned to use an inverter (not illustrated) connected to the control means and to the motor drives of the rollers in order to control them.
  • an inverter (not illustrated) connected to the control means and to the motor drives of the rollers in order to control them.
  • a preferred value of the rotation speed of the rollers is 50-70 rpm, or 6-7 m/s of tangential peripheral speed.
  • the present invention also provides a method for removing a film 2 of a package 3 of objects having a shape elongated along a longitudinal axis.
  • This method comprises the following phases, in succession:
  • the method according to the present invention also comprises, between the moving phase and the removing phase, an additional moving phase of the rollers, which may overlap the removing phase, wherein:
  • the transition from the first phase of moving of the rollers to the additional phase of moving of the rollers involves, innovatively, a reversal in the direction of rotation of the rollers 10 and 11 of the second pair 12 of rollers.
  • This additional phase of moving is illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • the method also comprises a waiting phase which follows the moving phase (and precedes the additional moving phase), so that said portions 13 and 14 of the film 2 may be kept stretched for a predetermined amount of time.
  • Said predetermined amount of time (i.e. the duration of the waiting phase) is preferably shorter than 3 seconds, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1 second.
  • the method according to the present invention also preferably comprises a cutting phase in which the upper portion 15 of the film disposed between the surfaces in contact with the first roller 5 and the second roller 6 is cut.
  • the rotating blades or retractable needles slide along the longitudinal axis of the package 3 in such a way as to make cuts or punch holes in the upper portion 15 of the film in various points.
  • Said cutting phase is preferably implemented during the movement phase, in which said portion 15 of the film 2 is raised in relation to the objects of the package 3 .
  • Said feeding phase preferably occurs by means of the conveyor belt 21 , according to what was described in relation to the apparatus 1 .
  • Said conveying phase preferably occurs by means of a movement (corresponding, for example, to a step of the motor 22 ) of the conveyor belt 21 serving to push the package 3 into the chute 23 , so that the package will roll along the chute 23 and into the removal station 8 (according to what was described in relation to the apparatus 1 ).
  • Said removing phase is substantially simultaneous with the additional moving phase.
  • said pre-established path is defined by the cam 25 with which the platform 24 is slidingly engaged.
  • the pick-up means continue to act upon the bundle to maintain it compact.
  • the rollers used preferably have the technical characteristics described above in relation to the apparatus 1 .
  • the apparatus and method according to the present invention provide the following advantages.
  • the present invention enables the film 2 to be removed from the package 3 by exerting a mechanical action to stretch predefined portions of the film 2 , without there being any need to cut the film 2 (along the longitudinal axis of the package).
  • the time necessary for removing the film 2 from the package is not dependent upon the length (i.e. the longitudinal extension) of the package.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for removing a film of a package of objects in a particularly fast and efficient manner without denting or damaging the objects.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
US12/424,272 2008-04-18 2009-04-15 Apparatus and method for removing a film of a package of objects Active 2030-02-11 US8117733B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITPR2008A000024 2008-04-18
IT000024A ITPR20080024A1 (it) 2008-04-18 2008-04-18 Apparato e procedimento per rimuovere un film di un imballaggio per oggetti
ITPR2008A0024 2008-04-18

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US20090261139A1 US20090261139A1 (en) 2009-10-22
US8117733B2 true US8117733B2 (en) 2012-02-21

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US20110185870A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd. Waste roll web product processing system
US20120096817A1 (en) * 2010-10-20 2012-04-26 Siemens Industry, Inc. Film-Wrapped Bundle Opener
US20120131889A1 (en) * 2010-11-25 2012-05-31 Clevertech S.R.L. Apparatus and a method for removing a wrapping film from a pack of objects

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090282787A1 (en) * 2008-05-16 2009-11-19 Pippin James M Bundle Unwrapping Machine
US9272804B2 (en) * 2008-05-16 2016-03-01 Siemens Industry, Inc. Bundle unwrapping machine
US20110185870A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd. Waste roll web product processing system
US8424432B2 (en) * 2010-01-29 2013-04-23 Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd. Waste roll web product processing system
US20120096817A1 (en) * 2010-10-20 2012-04-26 Siemens Industry, Inc. Film-Wrapped Bundle Opener
US9637263B2 (en) * 2010-10-20 2017-05-02 Siemens Industry, Inc. Film-wrapped bundle opener
US20120131889A1 (en) * 2010-11-25 2012-05-31 Clevertech S.R.L. Apparatus and a method for removing a wrapping film from a pack of objects
US8997443B2 (en) * 2010-11-25 2015-04-07 Clevertech S.P.A. Apparatus and a method for removing a wrapping film from a pack of objects

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EP2110331B1 (en) 2015-10-28
US20090261139A1 (en) 2009-10-22

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